I know that God is Love because God listens.
A great musician is a great listener. I know that things are working when I'm playing with an ensemble of musicians and I can hear every note being played. When everyone knows that every note counts, the level of musicianship leaps. In the midst of worship leading this often comes in intimate times of worship. I've experienced it most often in a funeral service or in times when the Holy Spirit is ministering to folks in the congregation.
In this video, Stefon Harris shows us the importance of listening and how a community can gather around someone who has made a "mistake" and utilize it to create a more beautiful story.
In Romans 8:28, Paul explores this same idea: "And we knew that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." ESV.
Stefon and the others on that bandstand are called to the same purpose. To create improvisational music that challenges and engages the listener. Our purpose as worship leaders and followers of Christ is to assist the worshiping community in the glorification of the Resurrected Christ. We will make mistakes. Will we ignore them? Will we point them out and then do nothing with them, shaming the mistake maker? Or, will we come along side, love and guide the maker of the mistake and create a more beautiful story?
